Supreme Court Stays Trial in Tharoor Defamation Case

The Supreme Court on Friday extended the stay on trial court proceedings against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who faces defamation charges over his 'scorpion on Shivling' remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh passed the order, adjourning the matter at the request of Tharoor's lawyer, who contended that the remark was protected under the immunity clause of defamation law. The hearing is scheduled for September 15.

The defamation case was filed by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar. Despite Tharoor's argument that the statement was a metaphor based on an article published in 2012, the Delhi High Court refused to quash the proceedings, branding the remarks as 'despicable and deplorable.' The complainant alleged that his religious sentiments were hurt by the comment.

(With inputs from agencies.)